Byu Promotes From Within

COLLEGE FOOTBALL - The Beat

BYU promoted defensive coordinator Bronco Mendenhall to coach Monday, replacing Gary Crowton, who stepped down two weeks ago after his third losing season in four years.

Mendenhall and longtime offensive line coach Lance Reynolds were the in-house candidates. BYU also interviewed Utah defensive coordinator Kyle Whittingham, but he became the Utes' new coach.

IRISH WELCOME WEIS

Charlie Weis says his job as Notre Dame's new coach is to raise expectations and win games.

"That's the bottom line in this business," Weis, 48, said at his first news conference. "Graduating kids is the first and foremost thing. . . . Bringing in character kids is important. But it's all about winning games. That's why there's a coaching change."

Weis signed a six-year contract that reportedly will pay him $2 million a year.

CASTILLO HOPES TO PLAY

After consulting with multiple doctors about the injured ring finger on his snapping hand, FSU starting C David Castillo will attempt to play in the Gator Bowl against West Virginia. Castillo dislocated the finger Nov. 11 against North Carolina State.

Starting CB Leroy Smith, who had surgery to repair a broken left forearm and arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, said he'd play in the bowl if his knee heals quickly.

Miami TB Frank Gore was picked for the Atlantic Coast Conference's Brian Piccolo Award, given annually to the "most courageous" player in the conference. Gore came back from two major knee surgeries to lead UM with 865 rushing yards and eight TDs.

RECRUITING UPDATE

Miami received oral commitments from two big-name players over the weekend: Naples LB/DE Spencer Adkins (6-0/220) and Houston Washington OT Reginald Youngblood (6-5/285). Adkins is a top-10 player in Florida and Youngblood is considered one of the nation's top five offensive linemen. . . . Merritt Island G Eddie Haupt (6-4/295), one of the top five offensive linemen in the state, committed to Florida.

12TH GAME POSSIBLE

Legislation permitting the addition of a 12th regular-season game each year will be discussed at the 2005 NCAA Convention in Dallas next month. Current rules allow for a 12th game only during years in which there are 14 Saturdays from the first permissible playing date until the last permissible playing date.

ELSEWHERE

NC State junior TB T.A. McLendon announced that he will skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft. . . . Starting LB Spencer Havner, who was the team's co-MVP, will miss UCLA's Dec. 23 Las Vegas Bowl appearance against Wyoming because of an injury to his right knee. ... Tennessee starting QB Erik Ainge (shoulder) has returned to practice but is unlikely to play Jan. 1 in the Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M.